– The funnest thing I know is working. Then I do something, says Torbjørn Wessel. The 18-year-old is concentrated as he swings the washcloth at work. He is deployed as an apprentice candidate at i Fasvo in Fredrikstad. Here he receives customized training. – The best thing is to have fun with the others who also work. Torbjørn shows off the various aids that he is working to prepare for others. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news If Torbjørn had lived somewhere else, it is not certain that he would have had the same opportunity for organized work. Østfold is the best in the country for this type of scheme for pupils with special needs. Big differences in the country An apprentice candidate works in almost the same way as an apprentice, but the scheme is adapted to pupils who need adapted training, have learning difficulties or special needs. It applies to upper secondary students who do not have the prerequisites to achieve the competence goals in an ordinary course of study. The county council is responsible. How many people actually get the offer varies from county to county. In Viken last year there were 532 apprentice candidates in business, while in Oslo there were only 48. – It is a discriminatory practice. It cannot be the case that some students are banned from vocational subjects because they have a diagnosis, says Flemming Trondsen, communications manager for the employers’ association for growth and recovery companies. Trondsen reacts strongly to the fact that not all counties have the same offer for pupils. – They are excluded from vocational subjects because it is not possible to carry out special education outside a company. As a result, they spend both four and five years at school without gaining a working life-oriented competence at the other end. Before the county mergers, Østfold had by far the most teaching candidates in the country. – Østfold has been a pioneer in this area, says Trondsen. Will strengthen the offer nationally A proposal from the Conservative Party was debated in the Storting on Tuesday. They are asking the government to strengthen the apprentice candidate scheme across the country. They want all the counties to offer the scheme in the same way as they do in Østfold. – Far too many people stay several years at upper secondary school without having completed any course of study, says parliamentary representative for the Conservative Party Margret Hagerup. NHO also believes that the county municipalities should look to Østfold. – It is quite clear that this group needs an adapted educational course and when developing the offer nationally, there is no doubt that you must look to those who have succeeded, says Kenneth Stien, director of employment and inclusion at NHO. Malin started as one of the first apprentice candidates at Fasvo 11 years ago. Since then, the 32-year-old has remained in the job. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news Education Minister Tonje Brenna (Ap) says she is concerned that working life should have room for everyone. She is aware that there are big differences in who gets the offer in the country. – The target group for the teacher candidate scheme and possibly other alternative schemes is one of the things we will look at in the further development of the schemes, said the Minister of Knowledge from the podium. Enjoys work 18-year-old Torbjørn Wessel receives close follow-up together with 21 other apprentice candidates. – We have one regular employee for every fifth employee who will ensure the arrangements in everyday life, says Merete Blomberg, head of department for apprentice candidates at Fasvo. The teaching candidates can choose between several different fields of study. The students are surveyed during their apprenticeship and further job opportunities are assessed. – Some go into ordinary work, while others need permanent organized work, says Heidi Solbakken, general manager at the training office in Viken. When apprentice candidates like Torbjørn have worked for two years in the company, they can take a skills test. When they pass the test, they receive an approved basic education. – 70 to 80 per cent of those who complete the apprenticeship stay in the company when they have finished their education, says Solbakken. Torbjørn enjoys his job at Fasvo in Fredrikstad. Photo: Julie Helene Günther / news Torbjørn enjoys work so much that he couldn’t imagine doing anything else. But before he was due to start his new job, butterflies tingled in his stomach. – I was a little worried because I had not worked like this here before. But it didn’t take long for the nervousness to subside. – It’s very good to work and I want to continue with that. Hi Did you think of anything in particular when you read this case? I work with diversity at news and would like to hear from you! Please send me an email. All information is treated confidentially.
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The government is looking at improving the apprentice candidate scheme – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
